Balanced and fresh, with light tannins framing the tangy mix of wild berry, damson plum and fresh forest flavors. Drink now. 8,000 cases made, 4,000 cases imported.??–AN??Region: Italy / Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Select to Add

The 1996 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Valle d'Oro could easily be mistaken for a Valpolicella. It possess earthy, spicy, dried almond-like flavors, medium body, crisp freshness, and a certain softness. Drink this pleasant wine over the next 1-2 years. As I have pointed out for a number of years, top-class bargains can be found in Abruzzi, a region situated in the southern Italy, along the Adriatic coast. The wines produced are named after the grape of the same name - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Cantina Tollo's wines are pleasant, well-made, clean offerings that represent bargains given today's super-high wine prices. A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

Neither of the 1994 Colloseco or the 1995 Valle D'Oro offerings is complicated or complex, but they do offer relief from the absurd wine pricing that seems to be the norm in 1997. Both wines offer deep ruby colors, elegant ripeness in their straightforward berry aromas, medium body (the 1994 Colloseco is slightly more powerful and higher in alcohol), and smooth textures with no hard edges. Both wines can be served slightly chilled, provide considerable flexibility with an assortment of dishes, and are ideal quaffing wines. A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620